What’s Your Night Time Remedy: Cannabidiol and Sleep Disorders

The legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Nevada has introduced the wide array of benefits of cannabis for medical marijuana consumers, including its efficiency as a sleep aid. Cannabis is natural and healthier sleep aid alternative to pharmaceuticals. Here is the link between cannabidiol and sleep disorders.

Treating Sleep Disorders with Cannabis

According to the American Sleep Association, between 50-70 million adults in the US suffer from sleeping disorders. Approximately 30% of the population will experience insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, sometime in their lives. Cannabis is a more efficient sleep aid than over-the-counter medication, effectively treating even the most stubborn insomnia.

Cannabidiol and sleep disorders

The two main cannabinoids in cannabis, CBD and THC, treat a wide range of disorders from anxiety and sleep to chronic pain and inflammation. Patients with sleeping disorders should avoid THC, especially if anxiety is the cause of their sleeping problems. A study on animal subjects found CBD’s non-psychoactive therapeutic effects treat somnolence and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Dried, aged cannabis induces sleep faster than fresh cannabis flower. As THC ages and degrades in transforms into cannabinol (CBN). Researchers have found that CBN for sleep is about five times more sedating than THC.

The link between cannabidiol and sleep disorders is evident. CBD’s relaxing effects make it the ideal cannabinoid to treat sleep disorders.

CBD sleep aid

People have used CBD as a medical treatment for sleep for centuries. Its calming effects facilitate bodily functions such as managing emotions and sleep cycles. Using CBD as a sleep aid reduces feelings of anxiety helping reduces stress-related sleep difficulties.

Studies have found that CBD vastly improves the quality of sleep of patients suffering from chronic-pain induced insomnia. The benefits of CBD include more time sleeping and reduced difficulty falling asleep.

Choosing a strain: indica or sativa for sleep

The three strains of cannabis (indica, sativa, and hybrid) have different effects on the sleep cycle. Sativa strains have uplifting and energizing effects, making them ineffective sleep aids. Hybrid strains high in CBD help induce sleep with their calming effects. However, indica strains are the best sleep aids.

Indica strains induce heavy sleep effects. It’s important to avoid indica strains high in THC, as they can have adverse effects on the sleep cycle. Indica and hybrid strains with less than 20% THC are recommended for optimal sleep.